Have to keep reiterating this:
Marketing does not mean something is successful.
Consider this: ESPN (and many cable network brands) have been suffering viewership loss because younger people (millenials and younger as an example) do not buy cable packages. Thus, to draw in younger viewers, offering a ppv or stream of something that does appeal to millenials would be a good business move on ESPNs part to build brand loyalty and help them out.
Sticking it on their flagship doesnt mean that OWL is successful, so much as it means that ESPN thinks it can benefit from OWL being on it.
Thats why I said earlier marketing isnt a sign of success. Numbers are. Btw, an important thing to really consider is active viewership too. Theres a huge difference to someone who puts the OWL on because its background noise and is the only thing on, vs those who are actively watching it.
The problem with the former is that anything that is more attention grabbing will boot it. Where the latter tune in specifically for it. OWL and providers want the latter, not the former.